Hi All,

I know this could be a number of issues. Suppose im looking for some peace of mind until I get into the garage.

So I use the same petrol station because of my fuel card from work. I vary using the Circle K near work and the one at home. 

Last week and this week, I think pretty much the same day of the week I have fueled up on the Thursdays with Diesel. Full tanks each time. Admittedly last week I probably could of gotten a couple more days with what was left in my tank, it was more convenience than anything. 

Anyways, cut to the chase I drove home from work the day I filled it and about 15 minutes from home the car starts to go into limp mode and the engine malfunction light comes on. Doesn't flash, just stays on and then disappears after a couple of seconds. 

Exact same thing happens yesterday after filling it up and driving it home light comes on again for two seconds and disappears only the car didnt slow down as much. Driving to work this morning it came on again.

I used fuel filter cleaner stuff before I filled the car up yesterday thinking that might help before filling the tank.

Each time that warning sign has come up the auto engine stop button light stays on where the heating controls and all are on the dash console. 

Is it coincidental this has happened each time ive filled up and could it be dirty Diesel or am I potentially looking at DPF issues.. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks All. 

Could be a dodgy batch of diesel or water contamination.

Change the fuel filter and try different diesel and see if it goes away.

If not, get set up on FORScan and see what codes you are getting

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your prompt response. 

Hoping thats all it is! Ill do as you suggested and see does that work.

Ill get it into the lads as well in the meantime to hook it up and see do any codes appear. 

Appreicate your time. 

For completeness & info - when was the fuel filter last changed?
Forscan (make sure you have a recommended lead, not the old ones with the switch) will allow monitoring of the DPF pressure differential sensor which IMHO is the key one (Engine off for sanity check - should be zero, idle, 3000 rev/min) plus any data on mileage between regens and soot loading figures. Only if any codes come up!

Hi, 

Thanks for your reply. I am going to sound really ignorant here but since I have had the car since 2020 I cant ever recall it being replaced. 

Last year I had the timing belt, water pump and gasket replaced last year. 

Earlier this year I had dirty Diesel and the garage cleared it out so maybe the fuel filter has had enough or the injectors. 

Just hoping it's not a DPF issue. 

For S-Max the Ford recommended filter change is 3 years but, due to getting one (Ford) from a bad batch and limp mode when overtaking lorry up a hill, I always change at 2 years!

Good to have changed timing belt/water pump again due to serious damage if it fails.

If filter wasn't changed or even if it was, that is the first thing to do being the cheapest way to rule out any fuel restriction problems caused by the filter.
Whilst doing that, check for "sparkles" - metal particles in the filter housing, indicating break up of the fuel pump.
If that doesn't work then other problems may be much more expensive and, as said, you really need the Forscan (with recommended lead) codes when the engine management light is on to see what they indicate.

Once sorted, myself and others suggest Archoil diesel additive (it may be that a cleaning product may help as another relatively cheap way to see if it can be fixed but you say that has already been done)
Don't stress too much over DPF problems as it is usually the victim of something else, which the codes may reveal, and certainly IMHO don't let anyone "just clean" or worse suggest renewal (ouch!) without finding the root cause of the problem if that is indicated (you can come back with results)